- Ba-Sha
- Basilic
- Baxia
- Bei-She
- Bel, Nebuchadnezzar's Dragon
- Benten
- Bi-An
- Bida
- Bistern Dragon
- Bixi
- Blue Dragon
- Boa
- Bon Dieu
- Footnotes
Origin: French Legend
History: The town of Vienne was plagued by the basilisk-like Basilic, which ate both humans and cattle. It also could petrify anyone with a simple stare. The town was ravaged and could not survive, until Fretard arrived.
As a knight of medieval renown, Fretard arrived to Vienne when he heard of their plight. He banished the creature down to the bottom of a well called Colaine. However, the creature was not slain, and it can resurface.
Every ten years, the creature is said to rise to the surface of this well in hopes of damaging the city again. The only way to stop the best is for it to be seen before it can stare at the onlooker; this will send it back down to its home. If this is not done, the town would again fall to its terror.
Symbolism: The Basilic is obviously a symbol of famine and plight, which was somewhat conquered by a hero.
Physical Description: It is described as a huge, terrifying dragon.
Origin: Babylonian History
History: As the Book of Bel and the Dragon says, Nebuchadnezzar, a ruler, kept a dragon in the temple of the god Bel. The dragon was worshipped there. Daniel, the Hebrew prophet, began denouncing idols, and Nebuchadnezzar told him of the dragon. The ruler argued that the dragon was real and that, since the dragon was real, Daniel must worship the dragon.
Sadly for the dragon, Daniel killed it. He then asked the people why the worshipped such a being. Never the less, the way the dragon is described, like a wurm or a drake, makes it sound very, very real.
Symbolism: To Jews, the dragon was a symbol of an idol which was destroyed by Yahweh through Daniel. On the other hand, one may look at this dragon and see the dying of the "old ways" of Babylon.
Physical Description: Babylonian dragons are described with long, slender bodies and tails that are covered in scales. Their heads are serpent-liked, and they have a forked tounge. Around their heads, there are flaps of skin, and they have horns on top of their heads.
Type/Species: Eastern Dragon
Origin: Japan
History: She was the sea goddess at one point. However, she became the Japanese goddes of love, wisdom, the arts, music, knowledge/wisdom, and good fortune. Dancers, geishas, and musicians are said to be her followers.
She, herself, is not a dragon. However, she rode upon a nameless dragon. It is said that there was a dragon who lived in a cave outside of Koshigoe. Here, the dragon devoured small children. Benton caused an earthquake and decended to the area. There, she married the dragon. With her possitive influence, she was able to stop the dragon's eating of children.
In an alternative story, Benton married a dragon king who had been wooing her. Many described him as an ugly creature with the shape of a serpent. He reportedly dwells in a cave on the island of Enoshima.
Symbolism: Her dragon was a symbol of perhaps Yin and Yang. Benten, herself, was the "Yang" and her dragon was "Yin".
Physical Description: Unknown
Origin: Soninike Folklore
History: In Wagadu, it rained gold three times a year because Lagarre's grandfather had given Bida, the dragon, ten maidens every year. Under Koliko's guidance, Lagarre planned to continue with Bida's deal, except he would only sacrifice one maiden a year.
Bida was outside the gates of Wagadu, where Lagarre agreed to give him one maiden a year so that it would rain gold three times a year.
For three years, women were sacrificed to Bida. By custom, the next first born female in Wagadu was to be sacrificed to Bida. This was Sia Jatta Bari, perhaps the fairest maiden born to Wagadu. Her lover was Mamadi Sefe Dekote, who often wooed her with gold. But, she was promised to Bida, so she wsa dressed up in marriage attire and brought to the well outside the city, where she was to be consumed by Bida. The people of the two came out with her, following her. Mamadi did not wish her to die, so he road out with the precession to face Bida. Each time Bida took a maiden, it was his wont to raise his head three times out of the well, on the third time taking his victim.
When Mamadi reached the well, he cut off Bida's head as he reached out for the third time. His head flew off, and he cried a curse out upon Wagadu, which would make the golden rain stop for seven years, seven months, and seven days. The people, upon hearing this curse, chased Mamadi and Sia Jatta Bari out of the area. It was only because of Mamadi's uncle that they escaped to a safe place.
Their story does not end with a happily ever after, however, for Sia Jatta decieved Mamadi. She did not love him, despite his sacrifices he made for her. After having cut of his small toe and his small finger to cure her headache, she told him she would only love someone with ten fingers and ten toes, not nine. Out of revenge Mamadi had her hairdresser run a magic ointment upon her forehead which forced her to fall in love with him. Afterwards, he tricked her into sleeping with his man-servant, which caused her to die in shame.
Symbolism: Bida has been interpreted to be a symbol of greed and how it spreads from person to person. Others say that Bida is a symbol of oppression for wealth.
Physical Description: Bida was said to be seven coils long, much like a giant serpent.
Origin: English Legend
History: An Old English document in the sixteenth century reports that n Hampshire, England, a man named Sir Moris Berkeley met with a terrifying dragon in the countryside. This dragon had been killing all that tried to remove it and was also generally causing destruction to the area.
Sir Moris met with the dragon, along with his dogs, and heroically slew the beast. Unfortunately, he and his dogs were also killed with it. But, the Berkeley family's coat of arms was changed to glorify the event.
Symbolism: None known.
Physical Description: None given.
Origin: Japan
History: They are said to be the protectors of the Chinese/Japanese Zodiacs. Year 2000 was the Year of the Dragon. All the other years (1988, 1976 - keep subtracting twelve...you get the idea) of the dragon are also the celebration of this dragon. Those born in the Year of the Dragon are said to be lucky, outgoing, natural born leaders, short-tempered, subborn, honest, loving, and benelovant.
Symbolism: The Blue Dragon is a symbol of a leader. Perhaps the short-temper and stubborness of the dragon leaves them in-balance with other the other Zodiacs.
Physical Description: Unknown, perhaps Ying-Lung Chinese Dragon (with wings and no scales).
Origin: Greek/Roman Mythology
History: Boa was the cross between a dragon and a huge snake, as described by Pliny in Historia Naturalis in 77 CE.7 Boa was said to drink cattle dry before eating it. The name was said to be derrived from a word meaning "cow" due to his eating habits.
Symbolism: Unknown
Physical Description: Boa was said to have purple and green scales and a forked tail. In addition, he possed long fangs.8
- The Drac: French Tales of Dragons and Demons by Felice Holman and Nanine Valen
- Mushhushshu (Sirrush): The Dragon of the Ishtar Gate
- Japanese Mythology by Juliet Piggot
- A Treasury of African Folkore by Harold Courlander
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
- Giants, Monsters, & Dragons by Carol Rose
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer |
Contact | Home
© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 5 August 2008